Catalytic Oxidizers
Depending on your needs, Epcon can employ either Regenerative (RTO), Recuperative or Catalytic configuration.
EPCON has designed systems based on cutting edge technologies as an industry leader in research & development with our own original designs.
Customers can count on Epcon to design air pollution control systems or any number of custom systems specific to your process.
Epcon Catalytic Oxidizers convert process exhaust stream Volatile Organic Compounds into harmless amounts of carbon dioxide, water, and thermal energy - which are then safely discharged to the atmosphere. This process is known as oxidation. Catalytic Oxidation occurs through a chemical reaction between the VOC hydrocarbon molecules and a precious-metal catalyst bed that is internal to the oxidizer system.
A common misconception is that you've seen one catalytic oxidizer, you've seen them all. Or that the same axiom can be applied to industrial ovens. The truth is, the quality of these systems vary greatly.
Certain basics do apply for catalytic oxidizers. Catalytic treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other air pollutants functions by reacting upon the harmful air pollutants over a customized precious metal catalyst in which VOCs are altered to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and usable heat. Through this catalytic process relatively harmless byproducts are released into the atmosphere or else morph into recovered energy in attempt to lower the costs of operation. Use of catalytic oxidizers can result in lower operational costs than thermal oxidation processes. In most cases, a control system automatically unlocks the process, energizes the blowers, and purges the system with fresh air prior to igniting the burner and bringing the system up to its optimum operating temperature. Once heated, the air stream laden with VOCs enters the oxidizer's mixing chamber. It's best that a thorough mixing occurs to insure temperature uniformity.
Beyond the basics, a truly efficient catalytic oxidizer maximizes the chemical reaction of the oxidation through a precise chemical reaction between the VOC hydrocarbon molecules and a precious metal catalyst bed that is internal to the oxidizer system.
A catalyst is a substance that is used to accelerate the rate of a chemical reaction, allowing the reaction to occur in a normal temperature range of 275ºC to 350ºC. This operating temperature is substantially less than straight Thermal Oxidation, and when combined with a low VOC loading level from the process stream, the system becomes self-sustaining (requiring minimal natural gas to support operation). Epcon designs systems to accept various selections of catalyst, and with our own internal catalyst expert can assure correct application of our systems to various process exhaust streams.
Thermal Oxidizers may also be called Afterburners or direct flame thermal oxidizers. Thermal oxidation is a method of air pollution control that can be applied to incineration for air polluted with small particles or combustible solids or liquids. Catalytic oxidization is an off-gas post treatment unit for control of organic compounds. Gas enters the unit and passes over a support material coated with a catalyst (commonly a noble metal such as platinum or rhodium) that promotes oxidation of the organics. Catalytic oxidizers can convert volatile organic compounds (VOC) to carbon dioxide and water at much lower temperatures than thermal oxidizers by using a catalyst inside the combustion chamber.
See also: Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers | Recuperative Thermal Oxidizer | Afterburners
